OBJECTIVES: To estimate nursing time and costs attributable to visual impairment from a questionnaire documenting activities of daily living (ADLs) in France. METHODS: 356,208 citizens in the general community were selected at random. A sub-sample of 16,945 subjects (blind, low vision and control) was further selected randomly and interviewed. The ADL questionnaire was comprised of more than 30 items, including washing, cooking, mobility, shopping, cleaning, etc. A factor analysis was performed and six clusters were identified: hygiene and meals; physical capacity; transport and housework; ability to move; behavioral problems; and autonomy. Three levels of dependency were predefined for each cluster: none; subject required partial help; subject required complete help. A subset of 128 scenarios was selected from 729 possible scenarios (3 power 6) in order to test second-order interactions. Interviews with 21 healthcare professionals (nurses and nursing auxiliaries) ascertained the duration of assistance required for 18 of the 128 scenarios, selected at random. The economic perspective was that of society. The link between time spent, costs, and factor scores was derived from linear and non-linear models. These functions were applied to the 16,945 subjects in order to estimate the assistance time required. Comparisons between blind, low vision and control subjects were performed using an ANOVA with adjustments for age, number of people in the household, and number of handicaps. RESULTS: Average care-hours per annum were 682.7 for blind people, 261.4 hours for low vision subjects, and 147.5 for controls. The annual care budget was 6750€ for blind subjects, and 1463€ for subjects with low vision. The total mean yearly nationwide care cost to families for visual impairment was estimated at 2025.9€m. CONCLUSIONS: Screening and treatment programs aimed at preserving vision should benefit society and would help to reduce expenditures on assistance time due to visual impairment.